Michael Maguire's side are fighting to sidestep the ignominy of recording the club's least wins since their disastrous 2006 campaign when they take on Newcastle and Canterbury in the final fortnight.

Having posted just seven victories through 24 rounds, to date it's their worst season winning eight times in 2008 and potentially their worst season since their three-win year in 2006.

While the Rabbitohs have showed plenty of pluck since being walloped by Canberra earlier this month, beating Warriors and Cronulla, statistics show just how far the club has fallen since their 2014 premiership.

According to Fox Sports Stats, they have slid from being the best defensive side in the competition to the bottom three inside two years.

In 2014 they led the league for tries conceded (2.6) - as well as all the other major defensive categories including metres, linebreaks and missed tackles.

However, they have gone alarmingly backwards, conceding 3.5 tries per game last year and 4.2 tries this year.

In 2016, they are equal second for tries conceded and third last for points conceded (24 per game).

"We're just playing for each other at the moment and playing for that jersey," halfback Adam Reynolds said.

"We know there's a lot on the line and Newcastle always lift for this game, it's their old boys game for them.

"We've turned in some good performance now it's just about continuing that on."